Gun policy at University of West Alabama board revised for campus

UWA President Richard Holland is seen at the University of West Alabama Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012.

Dusty Compton | The Tuscaloosa News

By Ed EnochStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 9, 2013 at 11:49 p.m.

LIVINGSTON | The University of West Alabama board of trustees adopted a revised campus firearms policy Monday during its quarterly meeting.

The board approved revisions to the policy following a new state gun law enacted earlier this year affecting where and how gun owners can carry and transport firearms.

UWA President Richard Holland said the revisions accommodate changes in the state law but that, otherwise, the campus firearms policy remains similar to the previous version adopted by the board in 1996.

The policy still bans students, faculty and visitors from possessing, transporting or using firearms on campus without the express permission of the university police department.

However, the new policy makes accommodations for sections of the new state law that allow employees to keep firearms securely stored in their parked vehicles while at work under certain conditions. Employees are generally barred from possessing firearms on campus while working in all other circumstances.

Holland advised the trustees that future changes may be made to the policy depending how the new state law is eventually interpreted by the courts. Statewide, some district attorneys and law enforcement believe the interpretation will likely have to be determined by case law.

“The way (the state law) came out, there are pretty big gray areas,” said Trustee Randy Hillman, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association.

Referencing state law, UWA’s new policy specifically notes that people, including those with conceal-carry permits, are prohibited from possessing firearms at locations where security measures are employed, such as athletic events.

How broadly the definition of security measures can be interpreted has been among the topics of debate for the interpretation of the new law.

On Monday, the board also authorized Holland to proceed with changes to tuition and academic credit policies following recently enacted state laws meant to benefit military personnel and veterans. The new laws require boards of trustees of state institutions to adopt rules and guidelines to implement the changes.

The board also authorized Holland to take the steps necessary to grant in-state tuition rates to active-duty military members, their spouses and dependents and veterans who meet criteria related to service records and residency. For 2013-14, tuition is $3,722 per semester for Alabama residents and $6,868 per semester for nonresidents.

The board voted to delay action on a similar tuition policy, which was also a response to the new state requirements and would grant in-state tuition rates to students receiving scholarships for a “particular talent or ability.”

Hillman said the board wanted to have further time to develop criteria for implementing the policy.

Holland was authorized to proceed with plans to grant educational credits to students who are veterans for courses that were part of their military training or service. The credits can only be granted for courses that meet the American Council on Education Standards, according to the state law.

Holland said UWA was already in the process of developing the new policy regarding the military personnel and veterans.

During the Monday meeting in the Bell Conference Center in Livingston, the board also approved completing the design and bid process for the renovation of Spieth Hall.

Representatives from Hoar Program Management said the design phase of the renovation was about 60 percent complete and would require an additional $90,000 for architect Goodwyn Mills Cawood Inc. to finish. Hoar is scheduled to bring a bid for construction back to the board for its consideration in December.

<p>LIVINGSTON | The University of West Alabama board of trustees adopted a revised campus firearms policy Monday during its quarterly meeting.</p><p>The board approved revisions to the policy following a new state gun law enacted earlier this year affecting where and how gun owners can carry and transport firearms. </p><p>UWA President Richard Holland said the revisions accommodate changes in the state law but that, otherwise, the campus firearms policy remains similar to the previous version adopted by the board in 1996.</p><p>The policy still bans students, faculty and visitors from possessing, transporting or using firearms on campus without the express permission of the university police department. </p><p>However, the new policy makes accommodations for sections of the new state law that allow employees to keep firearms securely stored in their parked vehicles while at work under certain conditions. Employees are generally barred from possessing firearms on campus while working in all other circumstances. </p><p>Holland advised the trustees that future changes may be made to the policy depending how the new state law is eventually interpreted by the courts. Statewide, some district attorneys and law enforcement believe the interpretation will likely have to be determined by case law. </p><p>“The way (the state law) came out, there are pretty big gray areas,” said Trustee Randy Hillman, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association.</p><p>Referencing state law, UWA's new policy specifically notes that people, including those with conceal-carry permits, are prohibited from possessing firearms at locations where security measures are employed, such as athletic events. </p><p>How broadly the definition of security measures can be interpreted has been among the topics of debate for the interpretation of the new law. </p><p>On Monday, the board also authorized Holland to proceed with changes to tuition and academic credit policies following recently enacted state laws meant to benefit military personnel and veterans. The new laws require boards of trustees of state institutions to adopt rules and guidelines to implement the changes. </p><p>The board also authorized Holland to take the steps necessary to grant in-state tuition rates to active-duty military members, their spouses and dependents and veterans who meet criteria related to service records and residency. For 2013-14, tuition is $3,722 per semester for Alabama residents and $6,868 per semester for nonresidents. </p><p>The board voted to delay action on a similar tuition policy, which was also a response to the new state requirements and would grant in-state tuition rates to students receiving scholarships for a “particular talent or ability.”</p><p>Hillman said the board wanted to have further time to develop criteria for implementing the policy. </p><p>Holland was authorized to proceed with plans to grant educational credits to students who are veterans for courses that were part of their military training or service. The credits can only be granted for courses that meet the American Council on Education Standards, according to the state law. </p><p>Holland said UWA was already in the process of developing the new policy regarding the military personnel and veterans. </p><p>During the Monday meeting in the Bell Conference Center in Livingston, the board also approved completing the design and bid process for the renovation of Spieth Hall. </p><p>Representatives from Hoar Program Management said the design phase of the renovation was about 60 percent complete and would require an additional $90,000 for architect Goodwyn Mills Cawood Inc. to finish. Hoar is scheduled to bring a bid for construction back to the board for its consideration in December. </p><p>The next scheduled meeting of the board of trustees is Dec. 2. </p><p>Reach Ed Enoch at ed.enoch@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0209.</p>